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Archiver > APG > 2007-01 > 1169607147


From: "Elissa Scalise Powell, CG" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Attracting Young Professionals vs Old Professionals
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:52:27 -0500
In-Reply-To: <c0d.f02180d.32e81d6c@aol.com>


To make comments to the past few posts:
The reason I did not find genealogy in my early years is that I did not know
it existed. I probably would have jumped in sooner if I had realized it was
a discipline with its own standards and rules. (Color me crazy, but I have
always loved to fill in forms.)

As for what people can make from this business -- that is as particular as
each person. What is a comfortable living for one is bare subsistence for
another. And your needs can change over time but the income may not. Hence
some people being forced to make decisions on alternate careers paths.

APG did a survey of its members just a couple of months ago which I am sure
will be released when it is totaled and ready. It asked about percentage of
income from various activities and then percentage of time devoted to
certain activities. Perhaps someone "in the know" can answer when and where
we will see the results.

I think that a person should shoot to break even the first 3 or 4 years of
doing genealogy. This is for the person who has to learn about methodology
and report writing and get their name "out there" and who may start getting
repeat clients in those first 3 or 4 years. After that you will probably
know if you can make a go of this profession or if it is more of a sideline.
Or perhaps there is something else (like a child in college, a sudden family
illness) that makes you need to work another job and come back to
professional genealogy later.

For as much as we are alike in our desire for professionalism, I am always
struck by how many different approaches there are. I always enjoy hearing
about each one.

-- Elissa

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG
www.PowellGenealogy.com
CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for
Certification of Genealogists used under license after periodic evaluations
by the Board. http://www.BCGcertification.org/


> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:] On Behalf
> Of
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:25 PM
>
> I am also curious as how much money on average one could make. I am new to
> APG and my goal is to become certified when I am ready or brave enough.
> Can anyone share any information about income ? I know it's hard to just
> state
> your income to everyone or someone whom you don't even know, but I think
> this is a good question. Does anyone have any input ?




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